I Love How Dead Man’s Wire Demonstrates One Fun Concept

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The 61st Chicago International Film Festival had a lot of great movies, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed them overall. One film that really stood out was Dead Man’s Wire, and it quickly became one of my favorites from the festival.

I recently watched a movie based on the incredible true story of Tony Kiritsis, who took someone hostage back in 1977. What surprised me most was how the director, Gus Van Sant, handled it. Even though it was a really serious situation, he managed to find a lot of humor and genuine heart in Tony’s story and the decisions he made.

Warning: Dead Man’s Wire spoilers are ahead. Proceed with caution.

Dead Man’s Wire Is A Story I Hadn’t Heard Of Before, But I Immediately Got Sucked In By Tony Kiritsis’s Goofy Charm

Bill Skarsgård delivers a captivating performance as Tony, balancing nervous energy with genuine charm. Tony is unpredictable – sometimes intense and frantic, other times surprisingly likable and engaging. He’s a compelling character, and you quickly become invested in his story, finding yourself rooting for him rather than against him. This is a hallmark of great crime films – they feature leads who grab your attention and make you emotionally invested in their journey, whether you’re on their side or not.

I find characters based on real life so much more compelling. It really hits home when you hear that saying, “truth is stranger than fiction,” and it made me immediately curious about the Tony Kiritsis case. I hadn’t heard of it before, but I was instantly hooked and wanted to discover just how closely the movie reflects what really happened.

It’s a crime story so strange that it becomes the perfect idea for a movie.

His Likability Really Made Me Think About How Modern-Day Martyrs Are Made

Throughout the film, I fully anticipated Tony’s death, even though he ultimately survives. I went in expecting a story about sacrifice, where the main character wouldn’t make it. It felt impossible for him to overcome the situation he was in. I pictured him being remembered as a hero, a martyr for his community, and someone whose death would bring about change, perhaps addressing unfair mortgage practices in his town.

While this particular event didn’t occur, it got me thinking about how people become modern-day martyrs, even without dying. Sometimes, individuals commit crimes and gain support because others believe their actions are understandable or even justified. This can happen when their actions resonate with widespread feelings about issues like unfair or exploitative systems and companies, which many people fear. It might be easier to sympathize with someone like Tony because of this. Also, a criminal’s charisma can sometimes be enough to win over public support.

These characters are skilled at winning over the audience, making us support them even when they do terrible things. For example, Tony’s abuse of Richard Hall is awful, but you still find yourself hoping he makes it through, or that his struggles ultimately matter.

The Film Works Because Of Tony’s Cause And Rightness In His Pursuit Of Justice

It’s shocking how predatory some mortgage companies can be – they often seem worse than typical criminals. Many businesses prioritize profit over people, pushing hardworking individuals into incredibly difficult and unsustainable situations. This can lead people to feel desperate enough to take extreme risks, like taking on more debt or even resorting to theft, just to get by. While it rarely escalates to something like taking a hostage, the pressure can drive people to make desperate choices.

It’s easy to understand Tony’s struggles, as falling behind on bills can be really tough. He clearly has good intentions with his plans for the land, and he generally seems like a decent person. It’s hard not to feel some sympathy for him and hope he succeeds.

I don’t agree with what he’s doing, but I can see why he feels driven to it, and I understand people who feel the same way. They aren’t necessarily bad people, just those who feel trapped with limited choices. Tony genuinely believes he’s doing the right thing, and it’s hard to disagree with his reasons for wanting to expose what this mortgage company is doing.

I Think It’s Interesting To Consider How Celebrities Or Important Figures Can Elevate Someone To Folk Hero Status, And Dead Man’s Wire Highlights This

Tony calls a local radio station and talks to the host, Fred Temple (Colman Domingo). Being on the air lets Tony share what happened, and it helps him gain public support. While news outlets are covering the hostage situation, appearing on Fred’s show is making Tony seem like a hero to many people.

Fred isn’t fully on board with Tony’s choices, but he’s not criticizing them either. This neutral stance could lead people to view Tony less as a wrongdoer and more as someone striving for what’s right.

As a film buff, it got me thinking about how a celebrity’s support can really change people’s perceptions. It’s like when a famous face throws their weight behind a political candidate – suddenly, that candidate can gain a lot more support. It’s amazing how much influence they have; it can totally shift how fans – or even just the general public – view someone. It’s not just about the candidate themselves, but the power of association.

It’s funny, sometimes a celebrity endorsement can totally backfire. People might actually dislike a candidate or team more if a famous face is associated with them. Watching Dead Man’s Wire really brought this to mind – it showed me how much power celebrities have to influence what people think. I was thinking about a scene where Fred could have used his radio show to call out Tony, and it made me wonder if that could have shifted public opinion. It’s a small detail in the film, but it’s a great example of how Dead Man’s Wire demonstrates that the past always has a way of staying with us.

I Kept Expecting A Tragic Ending Because Of This Type Of Story, Which Made The Ending Even More Pleasant And Funny

I anticipated that Dead Man’s Wire would conclude with someone’s death. I figured it would be similar to other classic crime films, with either Tony or Richard meeting a tragic end. Knowing the film was based on a true story, and not knowing how it actually unfolded, I felt the plot was building towards a fatal conclusion.

It’s hard not to find some humor in Tony avoiding consequences for his actions, being found legally insane rather than facing punishment. Then, seeing Richard unexpectedly cross paths with Tony, you really feel for him – it’s clear the experience deeply affected him. Despite everything, Tony seemingly getting away with it all makes for a surprisingly funny conclusion.

Dead Man’s Wire is a 2026 film you won’t want to miss. It features outstanding acting, a clever script, and a truly unbelievable true crime story.

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2026-01-17 19:10